A helpless family in Ward No. 4 of Dakshin Maheshpur was left destitute after their straw hut, used to store cattle fodder, was reduced to ashes in a mysterious fire late last night.

The family, who rely on raising cattle for their livelihood, had built the temporary straw hut on government land along the riverbank due to the lack of available land. The head of the family described the sudden blaze, saying that they were awakened late at night by flames and rushed to find their entire hut engulfed in fire.

“The fire spread within moments, and everything was destroyed,” he said.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities have yet to determine whether it was accidental or intentional. Locals, however, suspect that the blaze may have been deliberately set, fueling anger and dissatisfaction throughout the area.

Firefighters arrived promptly at the scene and managed to bring the fire under control, but by then, the straw and fodder were completely destroyed.

The incident has left the family without shelter and essential resources, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by families living on the fringes of society.

Authorities have urged anyone with information about the fire to come forward as the investigation continues.